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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dog in rental property

218 replies

CaptainObviousTwo · 01/08/2017 14:49

Moved into a new house on Friday. Standard tenancy, no pets allowed which I didn't really pay much attention to when signing the contract aso I had no pets.
Roll on the day after my tenancy starts and my Mum has to go into hospital unexpectedly. In the heat of everything, I agree to take her dog to stay at mine whilst she goes in, not really thinking about it wih everything else that was going on.
At lunchtime I got a call from the Estate Agents saying the landlord had been past the property and seen the dog, and dogs aren't allowed.
Well, fuck. I hadn't even thought of that. For context I work in a pretty stressful job as well as running two online businesses and study an OU degree on the side so I've not really slept in days with the house move and didn't think the situation through.

I've gone back to them and explained. I am pretty positive I won't find alternative arrangements for the dog.
I have offered an additional deposit to cover the temporary change and suggested an additional contract labelling me liable for any additional wear to the house.

Dog is clean, fleaed and beautifully behaved and genuinely won't cause any damage. unlike if I had a toddler

I haven't heard back yet and am panicking. I could just put my head on my desk and cry, I'm so stressed.

OP posts:
SlothMama · 03/08/2017 13:26

OP This is a very tricky situation I'd explain the situation to the neighbours, I work with some animal charities in Cheshire I'll see if anyone can help.

I haven't read the whole post but Cinamon Trust may be able to help you, if I lived closer I'd love to help you out!

NotMeNoNo · 03/08/2017 13:31

Also there is a I Love Border Collies FB page which DH posts gratuitous pictures of the dog on, that might yield a contact?

bellabasset · 03/08/2017 13:40

I hope your mum is going to be well soon, and I am sorry that so many people seem to be giving you a hard time, as you have enough to contend with.

Does either your mother's vet or a vet locally have anyone they know who would be able to help? Try putting a notice on the vet's notice board. I hope your neighbour and estate agent, once they have been introduced to the dog will be more helpful.

Viserion · 03/08/2017 13:46

Have you tried home boarding agencies in your or your mum's area? Cost should be recoverable of the dog is insured and it might work better than kennels for a stressy dog.

Disappointing that the neighbour complained to the agent rather than speak to you direct and see what was going on. Take them a bottle of wine/flowers, apologise and explain what is going on and what you are trying to do about it. Hopefully they have some empathy and compassion for your situation.

NotMeNoNo · 03/08/2017 13:48

Have RTFT now. Try not to stress until you know one way or the other Smile

Fresh8008 · 03/08/2017 14:17

I have a few LL friends and they are reasonable people and also animal lovers but they do not accept pets in their rental units, they have all had tenants from hell and will not budge on this.

I am sure all your reasons are very valid but land lords have heard them all before from people who were lying. Moving in with a pet despite having signed a no pet clause without asking LL first will be perceived as "Oh god not another one". Then comes all the excuses, its my mothers she is in hospital (where have I heard that before), its temporary (probably not), they are house trained (house will be trashed), I will pay for any damage and cleaning (wont see a penny), pet is to sensitive for kennels (the excuses keep coming), neighbors wont even know he is here (complaints from neighbors already coming in) ...

I am NOT attributing any of that to OP but the LL will have no way to know if this is a tenant from hell or not. Depending on the LL they will either attempt eviction or as soon as 6 month lease is up will not renew and will keep deposit to deal with any real or imagined damage.

If want to stay in the property you have to rehouse the pet. Sorry.

Countvesuvius · 03/08/2017 14:20

To be honest I think the most unreasonable person so far in the story has been the neighbour!

Why? People are entitled to quiet enjoyment of their own homes. Must have been pretty loud and sustained barking for them to have made a complaint.

PoisonousSmurf · 03/08/2017 14:24

This is exactly why so many dogs are abandoned. Too many rich landlords wanting things to be perfect. A dog or cat is FAMILY!

JacquesHammer · 03/08/2017 14:26

Too many rich landlords wanting things to be perfect. A dog or cat is FAMILY

With respect that's nonsense. I don't expect a tenant to keep their home perfect.

What I do expect is there isn't fundamental damage to the floors/carpets/gardens that CAN be caused by pets (and irresponsibile owners)

lucydogz · 03/08/2017 14:31

This is exactly why so many dogs are abandoned. Too many rich landlords wanting things to be perfect. A dog or cat is FAMILY!
What a stupid statement. Dogs are abandoned because people take on cute little puppies without thinking of the consequences.
Absolutely nothing to do with the current thread of course.

Winterview · 03/08/2017 15:53

OP I'm sorry you're going through a tough time. But I think you should try to separate your other problems from your landlord. He may not even believe your story. Lots of people move in with a pet and insist they're 'just looking after it' for a relative. He is under no obligation to let the dog stay. You went behind his back initially. Why do you expect him to be compassionate and understanding now? Especially as it's been barking at night and disturbing the neighbour.

You need to decide what's more important to you- keeping the dog or keeping the house. Remember a bad reference may make it hard to rent in future.

Can you get out of the contract early and find somewhere that allows pets?

milliemolliemou · 03/08/2017 16:15

Have family who are dogowning LLs with no dog policy after puppies chewing everything wooden and owners not clearing garden of poo. Asking them, they said they would understand OP's mum's dog even under policy IF OP had contacted them before. They say they know OP would have been in a rush but an email to agency or themselves would have smoothed the way. Especially if OP could satisfy them dog wouldn't bark/ would be exercised/ and as she has done offered to pay an excess.

Totally understand dogs not going into kennels. Friends have one who is totally intolerant of other dogs (after being savaged as a puppy) and who is consequently not vaccinated against kennel cough - so if in OP's situation would take at least week to kick in if vaccinated now.

SprinklesandIcecream · 03/08/2017 16:29

I can understand OP's predicament but I also see where the LL is coming from.

Just to put it in perspective, we've just done up our old home in order to rent it out. We've spent a lot of money, despite others advising us to do the bare minimum. We want it to be a home for someone else, not just a business.

Having said that, we could not afford to redo it to the same standard if someone trashed it not soon after. We will do the necessary checks as far as we can but a dog is a liability. Even a larger deposit could not cover a rowdy dog's mess. Hence we won't allow non/confined pets either, I'm afraid.

If a tenant looked to be sneaking a dog in without even bother asking before breaching the contract, I'd be upset. A good LL and tenant relationship goes two ways I'm afraid.

specialsubject · 03/08/2017 18:28

Op has said that the dog woke her at 4am, the last thing she needs. Can see why the neighbour complained. The op is landed with a dog she doesn't want and can't find anyone to take it, paid or not.

As I keep repeating, she's not being thrown on the streets for this . but the country is full of unwanted animals and there aren't enough spaces for them.

RainbowsAndUnicorn · 03/08/2017 18:58

I wouldn't blame the LL for saying no, every home with a dog I have ever been too you can smell the pet smell. Presumably the owners just get used to it so don't notice.

I'd also be putting a note on future references that the tenancy terms were broken due to sneaking a pet in and that neighbours complained so as to warn other landlords.

You breached the terms yet are making out the LL to be in the wrong.

Original poster
CaptainObviousTwo · 03/08/2017 19:41

Dog woke me up at 4 am by linking my face.

Neighbours complained about barking at midday, when dog got himself stuck in the office.

Its all moot anyway; the dog is gone.

As stupid as it is, this is the first time I've entered this house without being greeted with him and it's awful, even though he's not my dog.

OP posts:
Original poster
CaptainObviousTwo · 03/08/2017 19:42

Thank you so much to everyone here for your support too xx

OP posts:
specialsubject · 03/08/2017 19:52

Glad that problem is resolved and hope your mum is on the mend soon.

TheNightmanCometh · 03/08/2017 20:15

Hopefully dog is gone because your mum is home. I'd tell LL immediately.

AlpacaLypse · 03/08/2017 22:17

@CaptainObviousTwo where has your mum's dog gone?? Is your mum home? That would be absolutely brilliant for both of you - i.e. you and the dog!

Questioningeverything · 03/08/2017 22:25

Where'd dog gone?

Hope your situation gets better. Reading your updates, I just wanted to give you a hug. You've too much on your plate

Apocalyptichorsewoman · 03/08/2017 22:28

Captain - where has the doggy gone? Are you ok?

Kleinzeit · 03/08/2017 23:45

Hope you are OK Captain. And your family (including the dog!) too.

SecondBreakfast · 04/08/2017 00:04

Oh no, where's the dog gone?
Was going to say I'm a LL of rather nice house in SE with no pets clause except by arrangement but did tell my tenants I didn't really mind provided there was no damage, and they now have their daughter's puppy there who is lovely. I was there the other day and he wee'd in excitement on the kitchen floor, but it's easily mopped so no harm done.
I think if you mitigate the risks i would have thought your LL should be reasonable. One neighbour, one daytime complaint would not have concerned me.

Hope your Mum is OK.

perper · 04/08/2017 01:02

Hope you, your mum and the lovely dog are all ok and that it's a happy ending, though I do admit I'm worried Smile You've got so much on your plate- really hope it all works out ok for you!

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